Organisation : Uniting (Victoria And Tasmania)
Location : Melbourne, VIC Regional (Albert Park, Ballarat Central, California Gully, Delacombe, Glenroy, Geelong West, Golden Square, Highton, Norlane, Point Lonsdale, Preston, Prahran, Sale, Wendouree, Werribee, White Hills, Yarraville)
Time required : Various Shifts avialable
Duration of project : Ongoing
Sector : Community Support Services
About the role
Do you love fashion? Maybe you’re a treasure hunter? Or perhaps you love seeing the smile on another human’s face when they find something special? If you’re nodding along to any of these questions, then Uniting Op Shops is the place for you!
Bag a bargain, create new social connections and make a difference. Uniting Op Shops are currently seeking volunteers to support our stores in Barwon. The role supports us to provide better services for people as we work together to inspire people, enliven communities, and confront injustice.
Our shops provide a low-cost and pre-loved range of quality products including furniture, clothing, books, kitchenware and bedding. Proceeds support Uniting programs and services in local communities.
What is it like to work in the Op Shop?
“Each day is different — I could be hanging and tagging donated items, working on the register, sorting items or clearing shelves that need to be dusted. Lunchtime is always busy, so while we potter about, we focus on greeting people as they walk in to the shop. What I like most about helping out here is the variety — both in the people who visit the shop and those who work here, as well as the amazing range of items that are donated to us.
There is never a dull moment and I’m grateful we all get along really well — even when we’re under the pump. We all support each other to deal with some of our more challenging customers — we know that working together is the best way to get through the day and no-one is expected to do anything they are uncomfortable with.”
– Op Shop Team Member
Op Shop Team Members support in various ways
These may include:
- Sorting donated items
- Customer service and sales
- Pricing donated items for sale
- Creating displays / merchandising
Our stores are located in
- Albert Park
- Ballarat Central
- California Gully
- Delacombe
- Glenroy
- Geelong West
- Golden Square
- Highton
- Norlane
- Point Lonsdale
- Preston
- Prahran
- Sale
- Wendouree
- Werribee
- White Hills
- Yarraville
We offer opportunities in skill and knowledge development, as well as ongoing support and mentoring. As a uniting volunteer you’ll be able to access our online learning library with over 200 courses on offer.
About the organisation
Uniting works alongside people of all ages in local communities in Victoria and Tasmania. Our services reach to Albury-Wodonga in the north, Mallacoota in East Gippsland, the Wimmera region in the west, and across Tasmania.
Uniting is the services and advocacy arm of the Uniting Church. We’ve been supporting people and families for over 100 years. We are 7000 skilled, passionate and creative people providing over 770
programs and services.
We empower children, young people and families to learn and thrive. We’re there for people experiencing homelessness, drug and alcohol addiction or mental illness. We support people with disability to live the life they choose. We assist older people to maintain their independence and enjoy life. We provide opportunities to access training and meaningful employment. We’re proud to welcome and support asylum seekers to our community. We work to empower people with the information, skills and tools they need to live a healthy, happy life.
Our purpose: To inspire people, enliven communities and confront injustice
Our values: We are imaginative, respectful, compassionate and bold.
We work in solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as Australia’s First Peoples and as the traditional owners and custodians of this land. We celebrate diversity and value the lived experience of people of every ethnicity, faith, age, disability, culture, language, gender identity, sex and sexual orientation. We welcome lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender diverse and non-binary, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) people at our services. We pledge to provide inclusive and non-discriminatory services.
Uniting is a child safe organisation and is committed in everyday practice to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children, at all times. As a ‘child safe’ organisation, employment with Uniting is subject to a satisfactory national (and international where relevant) police check and relevant Working with Children Check in your State prior to commencement of any paid or unpaid work and/or participation in any service or undertaking.
It is a condition of engagement that all eligible workforce in Victoria receive the COVID-19 vaccination and supporting evidence may be requested in order to perform duties at any of Uniting’s workplaces.
Uniting is also committed to equal opportunity and ensuring the workplace is reflective of the community. We encourage people from different backgrounds to apply, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and people with a disability.
How to apply
Applications not allowed for this volunteering opportunity.
Please quote in application: Op Shop – Retail with heart that makes a real difference via Pro Bono Australia.
